Powell on Yearwood: "He’s just 18 and I think sometimes we forget that."

Chris Powell says it’ll be a brilliant achievement for Dru Yearwood to reach 50 appearances for the club at such a young age.

Yearwood will hit that landmark if he plays against Plymouth Argyle tomorrow afternoon.

And Powell said to be around the first team that many times for his age shows not only his qualities as a player but the philosophy of the club.

“If he carries on that trajectory, he could play 1000 games!

“But it’s brilliant for him. He’s just 18 and I think sometimes we forget that. He’s played more first team games than U23 games at 18, which is going something.

“I think I must have played 100 reserve team games before I appeared for the first team and it does build character. He’s been learning on the job in the first team.

“He made a brilliant impact last year, especially in the second half of the season. He’s had a few knock backs this year which happens on your journey as a player, whether that’s injury, but he’s had one or two other things affect him.

“He’s now playing games and we’re building up his minutes and getting him, hopefully, back to the Dru Yearwood we all saw last year, but it may take time. But it’s great for him.

“His 50th appearance, I don’t think his 50th start, but just to be in and around the first team at 18-years-old 50 times is very good. It goes to show what he’s done and what we’re about as a club.

“If we have to put in young players I’ll do it. Hopefully they’ll swim and develop and become the players we want them to be.”

An interview with Yearwood is in this weekend's edition of Roots Review when Blues take on Plymouth Argyle at Roots Hall.